Food Wars: Starting with Equipping the Greedy Wolf Pot

"Xiang Ji, what did Senior Dojima and Chef Semei want to talk to you about?" Kobayashi Ryudou asked curiously as Xiang Ji returned.

"It's nothing serious."

"Senior Dojima and the others hope that I can license the recipe for Three-Egg Shumai to Far Moon Resort," Xiang Ji replied casually, not taking the matter to heart at all.

"What? Recipe license?"

"Dojima-senpai wants the authorization for the Three-Egg Shumai?" But after hearing Xiang Ji's answer, Kobayashi Ryudou and the others couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, especially Akane Kubo Momo, who seemed indifferent on the surface.

Unlike Kobayashi Rindou and Tsukasa Eishi, Akane Kubo Momo can be said to be the first culinary student among the 90th class of Totsuki Culinary Arts to embark on a commercial path.

Akane Kubo knew all too well how difficult it was to gain the approval of a culinary giant like Totsuki Resort.

When UCC commissioned her to collaborate on a coconut coffee pudding that generated a market value of 3 billion yen, it took her several months from selecting the ingredients to the finished product, and that was just for a company of UCC's caliber.

Compared to the Totsuki Group, UCC Company is worlds apart.

Even so, Xiang Ji's cooking was recognized by the Far Moon Resort, and it only took Xiang Ji one night to create this recipe.

How could Momoko Akane not be shocked by the difference between one night and several months?

"Yes, yes, I've already made an appointment with Senior Dojima," Xiang Ji replied casually, his expression as calm as could be.

Although my three-egg shumai is incomparable to Liu Maoxing's original three-egg shumai, the problem is that no one in the culinary world today can make the original three-egg shumai.

In addition, there's the secret technique of the dark cuisine world: "spice inequality".

This Three-Egg Shumai is arguably the pinnacle of Xiang Ji's culinary skills, so it's only natural that it has been recognized by the Far Moon Resort.

Kobayashi Ryudou and the other two: "..."

Why is Xiang Ji's reaction so calm?

This is the Far Moon Resort, and it was the senior Dojima who personally asked for permission to use the recipes from the Xiang people.

After exchanging glances, Tsukasa Eishi and the others finally couldn't resist asking Xiang Ji out of curiosity.

"Xiang Ji-kun, what price did Senior Dojima offer for your recipe?"

“It’s not much money.” Xiang Ji shook his head slightly. “Senior Dojima only opened up the internal food supply channels of the Far Moon Group to me.”

What are the internal food ingredient procurement channels?

After hearing Xiang Ji's words, Kobayashi Ryudou and the others looked at Xiang Ji with envy in their eyes.

As a leader in the Japanese cuisine industry, Totsuki Culinary Group has established corresponding channels all over the world, especially after the establishment of Nakiri International, a molecular gastronomy research center.

Whether it's Italian live maggot cheese or Mexican insect caviar, these are rare ingredients that have very little global circulation and low awareness, and the Far Moon Group has access to them all.

Xiang Ji was very satisfied with the terms offered by Dojima Gin.

Ingredients are always the biggest pain point for every chef.

Putting aside everything else, the recipe for Lady Lei Hua that Xiang Ji obtained from Wu Tong Tian in Duotuna requires that the ingredients must be local Guangzhou ingredients.

The recipes left by Lady Lei Hua are not an isolated case.

There are so many dishes in the storyline of "Cooking Master Boy" that require ingredients from specific regions.

Liu Maoxing's True Sea Shark Continent Map requires ingredients specific to the four major cuisines of Beijing, Sichuan, Shanghai, and Guangdong, while Comet Fried Rice uses spinach, bok choy, and scallions grown in the local farmland of Jiuhua Mountain as ingredients.

Black-boned chicken and matsutake mushroom rice, Yunnan steam pot, Guangzhou-style bok choy...

Such regionally exclusive dishes are extremely common in the world of Chinese cuisine.

In addition, Xiang Ji's spice inequality requires a large number of rare ingredients to expand the database.

Even setting aside bizarre ingredients like live maggot cheese and insect caviar, many normal ingredients are not so easy to obtain.

There are many rare ingredients in the world that are unique to certain regions or that are only produced at certain times.

Even if Xiang Ji could obtain these ingredients, he wouldn't know how much effort it would take, but now he can easily obtain them through the Yuanyue Group's channels.

……

"We're back..." Xiang Ji and the others greeted each other with smiles after returning to Polaris Dormitory in Far Moon from the Far Moon Resort.

"Senior Xiang Ji, you're back." Upon seeing Xiang Ji and the other three return, Yoshino Yuuki and the others quickly responded to Xiang Ji's greeting.

"Senior Xiang Ji, Senior Long Dan, Senior Si, and Senior Qian Kubo, you all passed the residential training camp, that's wonderful!" Tadokoro Megumi was so excited that she almost cried.

During the time that Xiang Ji and his friends were away from Polaris Dormitory for a residential training program, Tadokoro Keiko was constantly worried, fearing that something might happen to them.

"Hey, Xiaohui, are you worried about me?"

"Megumi, you're so cute! Now I'll give you a proper reward." Kobayashi Ryudou immediately dropped his luggage and started rubbing against Tadokoro Megumi like he was hugging a doll.

"You're not cute at all, you're not cute at all."

"You actually think I'd be eliminated by such a simple test?" Unlike Kobayashi Ryudou, Akanekubo Momo, clutching her teddy bear, stared coldly at Tadokoro Megumi.

"Akanekubo-senpai, just now I, I didn't..." Tadokoro Megumi became flustered and at a loss when faced with Akanekubo Momo's gaze.

That's not what she meant!

While Tadokoro Megumi was feeling nervous and helpless, Akanekubo Momo raised the teddy bear in her hand and gently tapped Tadokoro Megumi.

"Akanekubo-senpai?"

"This is punishment. I forgive you now," Momoko Akane replied sullenly, burying half her face in her teddy bear.

"Eh? Eh? Eh?" Tadokoro Megumi became even more bewildered.

……

“Senior Xiang Ji, now let’s…” Kurokiba Ryo also issued a challenge to Xiang Ji immediately.

But before Kurokiba could finish speaking, Sachi violently interrupted him.

"Damn it, didn't you see that Xiang Jijun just got back? He doesn't have time to accept your challenge."

"Xiang Jijun, you must be exhausted after all this time. Let me help you carry your luggage to your room."

After scolding Kurokiba Ryo, Sachi turned around and looked at Xiang Ji. His face was flushed and he was panting heavily. His outstretched hands and fingers were twisting like earthworms.

Xiang Ji: "..."

Is Sachi trying to help me with my luggage, or is he trying to get something else from me?

Xiang Ji decisively refused Saqi's help, then picked up his luggage and disappeared into the lobby of Polaris Dormitory.

Chapter 122 Celebration Banquet, the Numb Yoshino Yuuki and Her Friends

The first floor of Polaris Dormitory.

Oomido Fumio hummed a little tune as he decorated the hall.

Xiang Ji, Si Yingshi, and the other two successfully survived this year's residential study program, which is something we should definitely celebrate.

The golden generation of Polaris Dormitory is about to be revived!

Such an exciting event deserves a grand celebration!

……

"Now let's raise a glass to congratulate our seniors Xiang Ji, Si, Long Dan, and Qian Kubo for all successfully completing this residential training program." Wearing only an apron, Isshiki Satoshi raised his glass high.

"Cheers."

"Cheers, congratulations to the senior." Ryoko Sakaki and the others immediately raised their glasses.

"Cheers."

"Senior Xiang Ji, what is it like to live in a dormitory for training? Is it really that scary?" After clinking glasses, Yoshino Yuuki couldn't help but ask Xiang Ji about their dormitory training experience.

"I think it's pretty simple."

"Living in a dormitory isn't as scary as you think, and the seniors are all good people," Xiang Ji chuckled lightly.

"Eh? Really?"

"So the residential training wasn't as scary as the rumors said? That puts my mind at ease." Yoshino Yuuki seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and gently patted her chest.

"Yuuki, are you serious?"

"Ibu? What are you talking about?" Yoshino Yuuki looked at Ibu Saki with a puzzled expression.

"Is there even a question? Do you think the simplicity that Senior Xiang Ji talks about is the same as the simplicity we think it is?" Ibu Saki looked at Yoshino Yuuki helplessly.

"How could a mere accommodation workshop possibly stump Senior Xiang? Others may not know, but surely you know Senior Xiang's culinary skills?"

"I heard that only half of the students passed the residential workshop this time."

“Half of the seniors were eliminated; more than a hundred people were eliminated on the first day alone,” Ibuzaki Shun continued.

"Huh? No way!"

"Only half of the seniors have completed the residential training program?" Yoshino Yuuki's eyes widened instantly.

"Ryudai-senpai, is your residential training really as terrible as Ibu described?" Yoshino Yuuki shifted her focus to Kobayashi Ryudai.

Jun Imusaki: "..."

No way, what is Yoshino Yuuki thinking?

What's the difference between asking about Senior Longdan and Senior Xiangji? Senior Longdan's cooking skills are not as good as Senior Xiangji's, but Senior Longdan was the second-best student in this year's Far Moon High School entrance exam.

"Yes, it is indeed very scary," Kobayashi Ryuto replied seriously.

"what?"

"What?" Upon hearing Kobayashi Ryudou's answer, Yoshino Yuuki and the others' expressions immediately changed.

Really?

So even senior instructor Longdan found the residential workshop terrifying? Just how difficult were the topics for the five-day, four-night residential workshop?

“Except for the last night of our accommodation and training, we weren’t given any food. We had to take care of our own breakfast, lunch, and dinner,” Kobayashi Ryuto replied angrily.

"This is really scary. So, they don't provide meals during residential study programs?" Alice Nakiri exclaimed, her eyes wide.

Yoshino Yuuki and the others were speechless.

Uh oh oh oh, what exactly is so terrifying about the situation that Genji was talking about? It's just about having to solve the problem of food on your own.

"Rindou-senpai, is that all? Is that all?" Yoshino Yuuki couldn't help but ask after seeing that Kobayashi Rindou hadn't said anything more.

"Others? What else?" Kobayashi Ryudou looked at Yoshino Yuuki with a puzzled expression.

Despite being in such a high-end hotel as the Far Moon Resort, no food was provided, and participants had to fend for themselves every day.

Isn't that scary enough?

What's so scary about this?! Yoshino Yuuki and the others stared speechlessly at Kobayashi Ryudou.

Indeed, people are different.

The terror that Gentian and his predecessors considered terrifying was completely different from the terror they understood.

Never mind, never mind.

Knowing she shouldn't humiliate herself in front of Rindou-senpai and the others, Yoshino Yuuki immediately abandoned the question of whether it was difficult or not, and instead asked about the details of Rindou and Kobayashi's accommodation and study.

……

"what?"

"We only provide the most basic seasonings and tools, but no ingredients whatsoever. You have to find all the ingredients yourself in the wild?"

……

"How is this possible?"

"Complete fifty dishes within fifty minutes."

……

"If you cook according to the recipes provided by the guest lecturer and fail to meet the standards, you will be eliminated immediately?"

"That's so heartless."

……

After Kobayashi Ryudou talked about the challenges he encountered during the residential training program, Yoshino Yuuki and the others kept exclaiming in surprise.

Especially Tadokoro Megumi, who was so nervous that she looked like she was about to faint at any moment.